Sex Differences in the Relationship Between Self-Monitoring and Leader Behavior

Abstract

A laboratory study and afield survey found that Snyder's Self-Monitoring Test was significantly correlated with task-oriented leadership behavior (including Fiedler's Least Preferred Coworker Scale) only for female group leaders. There were no significant correlations between self-monitoring and social-emotional behavior of either male or female group leaders in either study. It was suggested that self- monitoring ability should enhance the enactment of nontraditional roles as in the case of women in leadership roles. Implications for self-monitoring and leadership training in groups are discussed.